Pack off system &amp; apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pack off system and apparatus that is pneumatic but uses air or gasses that are not derived and have impetus of applied force from below ground level or water bed. The pack off system and apparatus is used for creating a variable or reciprocating seal for materials moved in out of pipes that are used for natural resource extraction, flowing cycles, from drilling through to environment restoration. The pack off system and apparatus has several features such as capabilities to gauge and monitor pressure, and automated control and interaction features. The pack off system and apparatus has several features included in capabilities of the pack off heads, where the may have environmental protection capabilities or capability to change out to or have a dual hydraulic system capability. Another feature includes the use of multiple pack off head arrangements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for applying andreleasing pressure to a pack off apparatus to manage a variable sealaround insertion materials for operations and procedures that requireinsertion materials such as tools or apparatus to be inserted into pipesthat are used to tap into and flow natural and manmade resources belowground or water bed. The present invention also relates to effectivemeans of maintaining, measuring, regulating and controlling of pressureand release of pressure for a pack off system and apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In relation to wells in general whether they be oil, gas, water or anyother type, there is necessity through the different stages of the lifeof a well to lower tools of various types down the well to do variousjobs during the lifecycle of the well. The process of lowering thesetools usually involves having them attached to a length of materialanchored and spooled at or near the surface of the well. In some casesthe length of material is a part of the tool.

Conditions down a well can vary from well to well and can vary, before,during, and after jobs where tools are lowered to perform variousfunctions. Conditions can involve pressure from water, gas, oil, or anycombination of those and other materials acting upwards from below thesurface of ground or water bed to atmosphere or low pressure regions ofthe well. Conditions down hole can have zero pressure where pools orreservoirs of natural resources are extracted through injecting fluidinto the well to force the resources to surface.

So when lowering one of these tools down a well there is currently asystem that allows the tool to be brought to the necessary depth whilemaintaining some control over materials such as gasses, liquids, andsolids escaping the well. This system also provides a further functionin applying pressure around the length of material used to lower thetool or being lowered such that it forms a variable seal that cleans thelength of material when it is being spooled up. This cleaning functionand pressure control function is achieved through a system known inindustries that work with wells as “packing off”. This system andapparatus involves various parts, and the term “pack off system” canencompass a number of things involved in the process of maintaining avariable seal around material inserted into pipes tapping into naturalor manmade resources.

An example of a current system for providing this variable seal can beseen in the wireline industry, that uses downhole tools in thepreviously described manner. This system involves 34 main parts with 3of those being the pack off system. These 3 main parts are the “pack offpump”, the “pack off hose”, and the “pack off head”.

This example of a pack off system works as such:

On a wireline job the first part of assembling the pack off system andapparatus involves running the length of material being used to lowerand raise the tool, which in this example is wire or cable is runthrough the axial passage center of the pack off head which is hollowand in this case cylindrical. After the wire or cable is run through afurther number of specialized connecting pipe joints it can then beattached to a tool for specialized use downhole. In this example one ofthe previously mentioned specialized pipe joints called the “stubby” isattached directly to further specialized pipe joints called“lubricator”.

The stubby and lubricator joints may be connected to various otherspecialized pipe joints or apparatus connected to the wellhead. Some ofthese include specialized pipe joints, such as a flange which is aconnecting joint also used for bleeding off pressure, or a B.O.P. whichis connected to the well head.

These connecting links, perform functions such as bleed off pressurecapabilities, and close off pressure capabilities before a tool islowered beneath the surface of the well head, and after it is broughtabove the surface of the well head. These connecting links are importantto the description of the invention primarily as parts that the packoffhead and/or stubby may be attached to, to maintain regulated pressureprior to, and after commencing downhole jobs.

As to the “pack off system” for this example, further background in itsparts are as such; the pack off pump is hand operated with a pumphandle, a chamber for housing hydraulic fluid, and a “bleed off” valvefor relieving pressure from the pack off head. The pump applies andreleases pressure hydraulically to the pack off head via the pack offhose. The pack off head receives the hydraulic fluid in its annuluschamber, which acts as a piston. When the pack off head is attached tothe stubby a spring lodged between the stubby and pack off head appliespressure on the chamber. Also within and between the pack off and stubbyhead there are three further pieces used to form a variable seal aroundthe wire or cable and against the cylindrical inside walls of the packoff head and/or stubby, allowing for variable escape or prevention ofescape of downhole materials such as gasses and liquids under pressure.These three pieces include two brass pieces called the “bushing”, and arubber.

(Prior Art Patent Number GB1532256)

The rubber is cylindrical for about two thirds of it with a cone shapednose. The item described as the rubber need not actually be made fromrubber but can be made of numerous materials as long as it is pliableenough under conditions to form a pressure seal. The rubber is hollowenough to accept the wire or cable tightly. The two brass pieces knownas bushing are slightly more hollow, one being cylindrical and the otheras well but the second one having an inverted conical receptacle forreceiving the cone shaped nose of the rubber. These pieces have slitsalong the length of their cylinder and conical outers that allow them tobe wrapped around the wire or cable. The bushing can be made fromnumerous materials but must be harder than the rubber.

This is then done such that they fit within the center of the pack offhead and stubby with the top brass piece centered between the spring inthe pack off head. When the pack off head and stubby are screwedtogether the flat base end of the cylindrical inverted conical brasspiece sits against a circular ridge inside the stubby, the invertedconical side accepts the conical nose of the rubber, the two piecestogether being roughly the length between the interior circular ridgeand the outer edge of the top of the stubby. The flat end of the rubberis up against the flat base of the other brass piece, which in turn hasits other circular flat base end up against the circular flat bottom ofthe pack off head hydraulic chamber. The stubby is screwed into the packoff head with the spring lodged between the circular ridge of the top ofthe stubby and the bottom of the pack off head hydraulic pressurechamber. This is an example of a pack off head mechanism and its parts.After the pack off head attached to the stubby and lubricator joints ishoisted up and attached to a flange which is attached to the B.O.P. onthe well head. The pack off pump is then attached to the pack off hose,which has already been attached to the pack off head. Then the mechanismcan be worked according to a wireline operator and assistant/s desiredrequirements, cleaning the line and forming a variable seal when therubber is squeezed between the two brass pieces from the pressureapplied from the pack off head chamber which receives its pressure fromthe manual application of the pack off pump, to partially or fullyprevent the escape of downhole materials such as gasses, and liquidswhile lowering and raising the downhole tool to perform a job.

Although this is an effective example of maintaining a variable sealwhile raising and lowering downhole tools there are a few drawbacks ornegatives to this system.

The hydraulic system loses its effectiveness in extreme cold conditionssuch that they are reduced or negated, as the pack off pump and head canfreeze up, which in turn slows down or can halt the procedure beingoperated, translating to a cost.

Furthermore, pack off pumps have a tendency to breakdown at times andthe probability of this is greatly increased during extreme coldconditions.

Also further to that it is not a clean system as it involves the use ofpetroleum based fluids that as a part of the job escape in smallproportions into the environment.

As well the pack off system and apparatus mentioned uses hydraulic fluidfor pressurization which costs money and may not always be available ona jobsite when additional amounts are required for a pack off system,and is certainly not available at the jobsite in a virtually unlimitedsupply.

What's more is that the example given is a system that is not easily orproperly gauged, and monitored accurately and precisely.

Further to that the system mentioned only allows for one point ofcontrol.

Another draw back is that the above example is manual and does not haveautomated mechanisms for supplying pressure or monitoring and releasingpressure.

Therefore it is intended that the invention reduce or eliminate some ofthese problems identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a pneumatic pack off system andapparatus is disclosed using description/s of the followingembodiment/s, wherein;

The pack off system and apparatus uses compressed or pressurized air orgasses as the agent for operating a pack off apparatus that receives thecompressed or pressurized air or gasses to operate its mechanisms. Whenoperated the pack off system and apparatus provide a variable andadjustable seal around material inserted into pipes that tap into or aredirected to tap into and control the flow of natural or manmaderesources below ground or water bed, such as wells and well apparatus.

To drive the pack off system and apparatus a means for supplyingcompression of the air or gasses is provided, that can be manual ormechanical or automated or any combination thereof. The air, gasses orwind are from a source that is not applied or emanating from belowground or water bed. For example an air compressor or compressed gastanks/canisters situated near the wellhead could supply pressurized airapplied directly to a pack off head to operate its mechanism/s.

The pack off system and apparatus provides the capability for numerouspoints of control for applying or releasing pressure anywhere within thelength of the system and apparatus, such as at the point of compression,along the length of the air hose/s leading to the pack off head, at theconsole of the personnel operating the downhole procedure, and at thepack off head.

The pack off system and apparatus provides a means for and can or mayhave gauges to read applied pressure anywhere along the length of thesystem, but more importantly at the points that are convenient forpersonnel, and at points where they may have a means of controlling theapplication or release of pressure.

The pack off system and apparatus provides a means for and can or mayhave means for controlling the application or release of pressure atpoints anywhere along the length of the system and its apparatus. Thiscan be done with valves and/or attachments that have capabilities forbleeding off and/or applying air pressure. This could involve knobs orbuttons attached to appropriate valves along the air supply line/s atlocations convenient for personnel doing operations that allow forincremental supply or release of air pressure, the increments beingobserved on nearby gauges.

The pack off system and apparatus provides a further mechanism tocontrol the application or release of pressure to be used in conjunctionwith gauged readings of pressure applied. One such mechanism being acomputer and program with parameters for providing instructions formanual or automated application or release of pressure, or anycombination thereof. These parameters would depend on the variables andrequirements of a given downhole job.

The pack off apparatus that receives the pressurized air to operate itsmechanisms pneumatically is responsible for the direct application ofthe variable seal against the length of material inserted into a wellfor a downhole job, and in this example/embodiment of the invention itis commonly referred to as the packoff head.

The packoff head apparatus can have various different designs to managea variable seal. It can have other parts attached to it to performvarious functions. It can also be incorporated into other parts orapparatus meant to perform various functions. It can also have partsincorporated into it to perform various different functions. Somefeatures of the packoff head apparatus can include sensory means todetect, analyse and measure emissions. These features can include meansfor storing emissions data and transmitting that data. Other featurescan incorporate the built in ability to change between or havesimultaneous pneumatic and hydraulic pressure within the same system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENT

The invention in its two broadest applications are first for pressurizedmatter escape control and/or as a cleaning function when passing astring or length of material through pipes under pressure from gasses orliquids, and this may also include plasma pressure, or any combinationof one or more states of matter such as gasses, liquids, solids orplasma, or secondly passing a string of material/s through pipes thatare not under pressure and into any combination of one or more states ofmatter like oil or water and the invention provides a cleaning functionwhen withdrawing the string of material.

The following descriptions of applications and embodiments are chieflyin the oil and gas sector and the main description of the preferredembodiment is in relation to its use in wireline operations.

The following embodiments are used to describe the invention.

A pack off system operating with many of the same parts as describedpreviously in the background of the invention but with a number ofchanges.

The process of assembling or “rigging in” the pack off apparatus usedfor describing the wireline embodiment works much the same as wasdescribed in the background of the invention. A pneumatically tooled ormolded pack off head would have the wireline run through its axialannulus passage, and then the wireline would be run through one or morelubricator pipe joints.

Before the pack off head is attached to the lubricator, bushing of solidmaterials and a rubber that could be any composite of pliable materialssofter than the bushing would be slid onto the wireline between the packoff head and the stubby attached to the top of the lubricator pipes. Thepack off head would then be attached by screwing onto the stubby withthe bushing and rubber fitting between the stubby and the pack off headannulus.

A hose used for pumping air would be attached to the pack off head, andat the other end of the lubricator a wireline tool such as a loggingdevice would be attached to the wireline that has been run through thepack off head, a bushing piece, the rubber, a further bushing piece, thestubby, and one or more lubricator joints.

All of these parts mentioned in the previous two paragraphs would thenbe hoisted to a service rig mast, lowered and attached to a flange,which is further attached to a B.O.P., which is further attached to awell head, which is further attached to a string of pipe reaching agiven depth below ground surface or water bed.

The wireline and logging device are encased in the annulus of thelubricator, stubby and pack off head. The pack off hose is then attachedto an air compressor and gauged and measured pressure is applied from apoint on the pack off hose or compressor directed towards the pack offhead where the pack off head is “fully packed off” and the seal is 100%.The shut in valve to the well is then opened to equalize pressure withinthe lubricator and stubby annulus. Once pressure is equalized, personnelwould bleed off air pressure to the required level to allow for loweringthe logging device attached to the wireline.

During and after the logging procedure the pack off head would requirepressuring up from time to time to form a seal that is either 100% toshut in the well or a seal that is merely strong enough to clean thewireline and reduce emissions while raising tool with the wirelinerunning through and being squeezed by the rubber.

That was an example of one embodiment of the invention and the followingdescribes various features and elements of the invention as well asseveral applications and embodiments.

The material used chiefly for pressurizing the pack off head would begas. The most abundant gasses present are the ones within theatmosphere, and during a wireline job it would be the air around thejobsite, whatever mixture or composition that may be.

There is then need for a mechanism to pressurize this mixture of gassescalled air. There are several means to achieve this pressure. There is amanual means where a pump, being hand operated, that may utilize thesame principles as a bicycle pump can be used. There could also becompression achieved through a mechanical means such as an aircompressor be it running on gas or electric or any other means ofgenerating power to facilitate its operation. Pressure can also be madeavailable through the controlled release and application of compressedgasses housed in tanks or reservoirs, that have been obtained from belowground surface or water bed.

Air pressure would be made available through a system of connected hosesand apparatus made from and including the compression unit through tothe pack off head that would be required to be of a type sturdy enoughto with stand the high pressure being applied by an air compressor.These would already be present in industry for various levels ofcompression. So parts like valves and air compression hoses would havethose qualities. Connectors from the hose to the compression unit andthe hose to the pack off head would be of the snaplock type or any otherappropriate type available.

Along the length of the hose or at the compression unit, and/or at theconsole of the operators cab, there would be a means for reading the airpressure applied. Also at these same locations there would be a meansfor adjusting the amount of air pressure applied. A simple means forreading air pressure applied would be a gauge reading pounds per squareinch, or Kilo Pascal's or any other unit or increment used for measuringor indicating pressure.

The means for reading air pressure or controlling air pressure can belocated anywhere along the length of the system or can be located remoteof the system by the use of a communications arrangement like satelliteor wireless that transmits data between personnel or computers and thepack off system.

One example of the above arrangement is where an instrument means formeasuring the amount of pressure applied is attached anywhere along thelength of the system to take readings. The instrument would beelectronic, powered by a housed battery or may have a connection forgenerated or battery supplied electricity from a wireline truck orservice rig, and possess data processing capabilities that could furtherextend to storing data, which could be downloaded or transmitted at arequired or convenient time for collection, or the data could betransmitted in real time while pressure is adjusted or static. Thisarrangement could also incorporate the use of an electronic digitaldisplay that shows the increments in precise decimal readings.

In relation to controlling the air pressure to the pack off head, thismay be done by personnel, or by a further mechanism or a combination ofpersonnel and a further mechanism.

A simple means for adjusting and controlling pressure is with fittingsarranged along the length of air pressure lines leading from an aircompressor to the pack off head that are operated by personnel, on theground between a wireline truck and the pack off head on the rigplatform.

The above mentioned fittings could include a valve with a two-way buttonwhere pulling it up may release pressure by bleeding off air and pushingdown the button would open a valve to the air compressor injectingpressurized air into the air hose lines. Another arrangement may involvea knob and valve, which releases incremental amounts of compressed airinto the air hose lines, of compressed air into the air hose lines,which then may be monitored on an adjacent air pressure gauge until thedesired pressure is achieved. The knob may then be turned fully theother direction once desired pressure is achieved to close of the valveand equalize the pressure. This same knob could have a mechanism forbleeding off, such as pushing it down to lock into a release valve andthe knob could then be twisted for incremental release of pressure.

A more sophisticated arrangement can be implemented electronically wheredata regarding the pressure applied from pressure control &/ormeasurement points along the length of the system to the pack off headis fed to a computer that has a program to analyze the data and candetermine preferred pack off pressure according to parameters within aprogram. These parameters would need to have several fields provided towhich data varying according to the job being performed and othervariables such as line tension, emissions, downhole pressure anddownhole conditions may be received and processed by computer andprogram to provide communications for pack off pressure levels. Thisdata entry could be part of a routine for a wireline operator during,prior and after a job, or may involve automated data entry from loggingdevices downhole or other communications capable devices that read datafor the required fields of the previously mentioned computer program.

After analysis the computer and program could then display or transmitinstructions according to program parameters provided, for manualadjustment of the pack off pressure or through an electronicallyautomated system that transmits instructions by a communications meanslike cable, satellite, or wireless to an electronic control device thatdirects pressure application or release accordingly.

The pack off head that receives the air pressure would then applypressure on the two brass pieces and rubber located within it. Thispressure would then cause the rubber to compress against the wirelinematerials being inserted into the well and the walls of the pack offheads stubby attachment. The amount of compression thus determining thestrength of the seal.

Using the example of the pack off head described in the background ofthe invention the same basic design may be utilized with a few changes,and various alternatives exist for its design and operation and may notyet be in existence.

The annulus chamber that would normally receive the hydraulic fluidwould be receiving pressurized air. This chamber could be built as aself contained hermetically sealed unit with the exception of a valve toreceive or release pressurized air. The chamber would move against theresistant pressure of the spring within the pack off head depending onthe amount of air pressure received. This chamber could also house anannulus air bag, that when inflated would expand the chamber compressingthe brass pieces against the rubber, and when deflated would contractthe chamber releasing pressure on the rubber and relaxing the strengthof the seal. This seal can vary anywhere from 0 to 100%.

In relation to the above mentioned example, the chamber of the pack offhead would need to be tooled or molded appropriately to be used inconjunction with the air bag should have a means for opening and closingso that if the air bag needed replacing it could easily be taken out andreplaced. This would require secure and tight means of closing thechamber once a new air bag were inserted. One such opening and closingarrangement that could be tooled or molded for the pack off head couldinvolve the unscrewing of the pressure chamber annulus where the partthat screws in and out has one or more O-rings in grooves around theinner circumference near the top of the screw head to preventcontamination of the chamber when screwed together.

The pack off head itself could also be tooled or molded to have a bleedoff valve or numerous bleed off and/or pressure access valves forreleasing or receiving pressure. This would be an advantage if therewere a malfunction with any bleed off valves leading to the pack offhead. This could also give the capability for two hoses to be attachedto the pack off head for controlling its movements, one for applyingpressure and the other for bleeding off pressure.

In relation to the pack off head there are many alternative arrangementsthat could exist for its operation, and design. Although what isdescribed in this document in relation to the pack off head may involvecertain additional features and elements, its primary purpose inrelation to this embodiment of the invention is an apparatus that mayreceive and release compressed air and moves to act in applying pressureto a pliable material forming a variable seal when squeezed around alength or string of material passing through the pliable material forperforming an operation below the surface of the well.

The pack off head apparatus could be tooled or molded to be incorporatedinto other parts or apparatus meant to perform various functions. Thepack off head may also be tooled or molded to have other parts orapparatus incorporated into it or attached to it that perform variousfunctions. The pack off head may be capable of receiving variousfittings other than air pressure connections that perform or give ameans to perform various other functions.

The following description is of some of the further functions orcapabilities that may be implemented. The pack off head may contain asensory means that is capable of identifying emissions. The pack offhead may have a means for determining the amount being emitted. The packoff head may have a means for recording, or storing, or transmittingdata in regards to emissions.

The pack off head may also be a combination of two or more pack offheads combined or built together for various purposes. One sucharrangement could exist for trapping or flowing excess emissions thatwould normally escape one packoff head. A second packoff head could bescrewed onto the first one with a flow valve in between for any excessfluid, which would run to a reservoir. Environmental protectionapparatus arrangements that differ in pneumatic pressure application toform a variable seal but are similar to this in resultant operationaloutcomes are published and in use in the oil and gas industry.

This would be useful for operations such as swabbing, where fluid is runoff at the wellhead or at a flange above the wellhead, but occasionallysmall amounts of fluid do escape out through the top of the lubricatorwhere the packoff head is attached. In this arrangement the secondpackoff head would act as back up pushing any escaping fluid from thebottom pack off head back down to an outflow valve between the two packoff heads. The same pressurizing apparatus or line could pressurize thedual or multiple pack off head apparatus, or it could have a separateline or pressurizing apparatus for each packoff head.

Another example of using the pneumatic pack off head and systemdescribed could include a pack off head that is designed to beinterchangeable as a pneumatic pack off head or hydraulically operated.This could be done and applied with the proper design for changingpressurizing agents during operations based on their functionality inrelation to environmental conditions. The pack off head could in facthave two heads in one. One for receiving hydraulic pressure, and one forreceiving air pressure, and these could function simultaneously or atseparate times from each other.

Another arrangement may be one pack off head that has both capabilitiesand when changing from one capability to the other could include a bleedoff valve that is part of the pack off head mold with passage from theinner wall of the pack off head to the atmosphere where hydraulic fluidcan be blown out by air pressure applied to a separate molded valve thatcould be in approximate juxtaposition on the packoff head/s or air canbe pushed out of the pack off head/s when hydraulic fluid is pumped intothe chamber from a separate attached valve. Another arrangement is apackoff head that has seperate spaces within its annulus chamberworkings, where one space/s only receive hydraulic fluids and the otherspace/s only receive air at any one given time to drive its operationalworkings, and changing from hydraulic to pneumatic or pneumatic tohydraulic can be done more swiftly and cleanly by bleeding off onesystem and pressuring up the other.

These arrangements would give the operator an option of utilizinghydraulic or pneumatic pack off capabilities, and the same controlmechanisms mentioned previously in this document can be applied to thisdual capacity apparatus, but different instrumentation devices would berequired for reading and measuring the separate hydraulic and pneumaticpressure levels.

The invention need not be restricted by industry or application within aparticular industry. For example the pack off apparatus and mechanismsmentioned can be applied in various ways.

For example the application of the pneumatic pack off head and systempreviously described for wireline operations can also be applied for theperformance of a swabbing operation run from a service rig.

Another example is in the drilling of or performance of jobs for waterwells. Tools or apparatus that perforate or analyze data regarding waterwells may be used in the same manner as described for water wells or oilor gas wells, hence the same apparatus for the invention could beapplied.

The invention can also be applied in use for petroleum pump jacks wherethe automated and environmental protection features of the pack offsystem and apparatus could be in place requiring no immediate personnel,but communications to and/or from the pack off apparatus and personnelremote of the pump jack could be in place for monitoring or forcontrolling the pack off apparatus remote from it and the pump jack.

The application of the invention can vary in its purpose of use. Forexample when performing tasks for a service rig or a drilling rig theremay be the need for a variable seal to be applied during and around theinsertion and withdrawal of pipes and, or apparatus. This could be donefor various reasons including preventions of emissions for a cleanoperation of tasks.

In the example mentioned above the cleaning function could be appliedduring the withdrawal of pipe from a service rig operation where wateris present downhole, and a cleaner way of retrieving pipe may include anannulus bag with a pliable and appropriately shaped rubber at its centerfor accepting the passage of pipe joins. The bag could be expanded andcontracted appropriately by the Driller by foot pedal during thewithdrawal of pipe. This would prevent water or other fluids fromsplashing excessively over the platform and other rig apparatus such asthe B.O.P., which in turn increases productivity and provides a cleaneroperation.

This could also involve operations at gas processing or petroleumprocessing and distilling plants where adding additional lines mayrequire the sealing off of the section to be worked on, and additionalgasses may be added to a lubricator type apparatus for housing weldingand torch cutting apparatus. The gasses such as those created from dryice or liquid nitrogen could prevent explosion when cutting into andwelding onto gas pipes housing gas. This would require a pack offmechanism for insertion of materials and withdrawal of materials andeasing and strengthening the seal on these materials when performing thetask. This procedure and many others that may not yet be in existencecan be performed using the same pack off principles on sets or systemsof pipes like pipelines used to transport petroleum or natural gas ortheir byproducts.

Another example of where the application of the invention could vary isin regards to tapping into methane reserves in landfills. In thisexample the same drilling and maintenance principles may or may notapply in regards to tapping into a man made resource as opposed to anatural resource which means that a pack off apparatus as described forthe invention could be utilized for the performance of various tasksrequiring a pack off apparatus.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the inventionis not restricted in its use to the particular application described,and neither is the present invention restricted in its preferredembodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or featuresdescribed or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that variousmodifications can be made without departing from the principles of theinvention. For example variations in materials used and the shape,number, and arrangement of various elements may be made, changes andmodifications in form and details may be made, as well as implementationof variations, and modifications of the invention in its variousaspects, as well as variations in the implementation of the inventionsuch as numerous changes in the details of procedures for accomplishingthe same results can be made. Therefore the invention should beunderstood to include all such variations, modifications and changeswithin its scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

A portion of disclosure (drawings) of this patent document whichcontains material which is subject to copyright protection. Thecopyright owner has no objection to facsimile reproduction by anyone ofthe patent document as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

FIG. 1: Pneumatic Pack Off System and Apparatus with measurement,control, communications, and automation features being used for awireline job.

-   1 Service rig mast-   2 Pack off head with dual pneumatic and hydraulic capability-   3 Compressed air hose connection to pack off head-   4 Pack off head bleed off apparatus/pressurizing agent expulsion    apparatus-   5 Specialised stubby pipe joint-   6 Lubricator pipe joint-   7 Specialised flange pipe joint-   8 Blow out prevention system-   9 Pipes directed to tap into resources-   10 Ground surface or water bed surface-   11 Compressed air hose directing pressure or releasing pressure from    the Pack off head-   12 Gauge display mechanism for reading measurement of pressure    applied that is communications capable and is sending measurement    data to a computer in the operators cab-   13 Wireline Personnel-   14 Wireline materials leading to and being inserted into or    withdrawn from pack off apparatus and system of pipes-   15 Communications cable and pack off hose with communications cable    leading to the operators cab and computer system-   16 Wireline personnel manually applying or releasing pressure to the    pack off apparatus.-   17 Mechanism for manual or automated application or release of    pressure to the pack off apparatus-   18 Communications cable to further apparatus/computer that analyses    new applied pressure data-   19 Communications cable to the operators console and computer system-   20 Air compressor-   21 Spool of wireline materials leading to and being inserted into or    withdrawn from pack off apparatus and system of pipes-   22 Operators console-   23 Wireline operator-   24 Wireline Computer terminal-   25 Laptop attached to wireline computer terminal with software with    programmed parameters for analysis and instruction    transmission/display for manual or automated control of pressure.-   26 Operators Cab-   27 Wireline Truck

FIG. 2: Pneumatic Pack Off Head operated internally by air bag to movechamber like a piston squeezing rubber between bushing forming a sealagainst wireline and inner annulus.

-   1. wireline cable-   2. pack off head entry annulus-   3. top of pack off head-   4. outer pack off head wall-   5. inner pack off head chamber annulus-   6. nib for bleeding off air pressure-   7. bleed off valve and bleed off hose attachment-   8. air bag-   9. inner pack off head chamber annulus wall-   10. spring that exerts pressure upwards on pack off head annulus    chamber-   11. bushing wrapped around wireline cable between rubber and base of    pack off annulus piston chamber-   12. rubber wrapped around wireline cable and between two brass    bushings-   13. spin on screw ring for attachment to stubby-   14. bottom bushing wrapped around wireline cablethat lodges against    stubby under rubber-   15. annulus wall that rubber expands against under compression to    form variable seal-   16. inner pack off head chamber annulus wall-   17. inner pack off head chamber annulus-   18. air bag-   19. attachment and valve for receiving pressurized air-   20. view of air bag on the other side of wireline cable and annulus    chamber wall

FIG. 3: Dual capability Pneumatic and Hydraulic Pack Off Head operatedinternally by air bag or downwardly directed hydraulic pressure to movechamber like a piston squeezing rubber between bushing forming a sealagainst wireline and inner annulus.

-   1. wireline cable-   2. pack off head entry annulus-   3. top of pack off head-   4. pack off head outer wall-   5. side view of pack off head outer wall-   6. inside view of outer wall of pack off head-   7. nib for hydraulic hose attachment and receiving and releasing    hydraulic fluid under pressure-   8. hydraulic valve-   9. wall of innermost annulus of pack off head through which the    wireline passes-   10. spring that exerts upward pressure on pack off head piston-   11. spin on screw ring for attachment to stubby-   12. bottom bushing wrapped around wireline cable that lodges against    stubby under rubber-   13. rubber wrapped around wireline cable and between two brass    bushings-   14. bushing wrapped around wireline cable between rubber and base of    pack off annulus piston chamber-   15. bottom wall of pack off head piston chamber annulus-   16. chamber housing air bag-   17. air bag-   18. connector for air hose-   19. air hose valve-   20. outer wall of pack off head and inner wall of air bag chamber-   21. wall that separates the air bag chamber from the hydraulic    pressure chamber

FIG. 4: Pneumatic Pack Off Head operated internally by air bag thatapplies pressure when inflated to a rubber at its center that forms avariable seal against materials passing through it.

-   1. top of pack off head-   2. pack off head entry annulus-   3. outer wall of pack off head-   4. inside view of innermost annulus wall of pack off where material    passes through-   5. pack off rubber attached by adhesive or sewn to airbags inner    annulus-   6. nib for bleeding off air pressure-   7. valve that bleed off hoses attach to-   8. wall of air bag-   9. inside of air bag slightly inflated-   10. spin on ring for attachment to stubby-   11. valve and connector for receiving air hose and air pressure.-   12. annulus chamber that houses air bag

1. A pack off system and apparatus that uses only air or gasses whichare pressurized and systematically directed to operate & drive anannulus pack off head/s mechanisms to squeeze pliable material/s thatcreate and manipulate variable and adjustable seal/s, or said pack offhead/s that receive pressurized and directed air or gasses as agents fordriving the operation of said pack off mechanisms has the capability forseparate utilization of hydraulic pressure application as the agentdirected and driven for the operation of same or separate mechanismswithin the same pack off head/s chamber annulus &/or simultaneous orseparate utilization of hydraulic pressure application as the agent fordriving the operation of separate pack off head/s mechanisms forseparate pack off chamber annulus within the same pack off system,wherein; said pack off head/s are attachable and/or attached to pipesand/or system of apparatus and pipes used for conveying petroleum orpetroleum byproducts or natural gasses or natural gas byproducts and,said pliable material/s has/have a passage through which a string orlength of material has access to pass and/or move through into saidpipes or system of apparatus and pipes or out of said pipes or system ofapparatus and pipes and, said pressure agents that are directed anddrive said pack off head/s mechanisms are derived &/or applied fromoutside of said pipes or system of apparatus and pipes, wherein; saidpliant seal material/s form seal/s within said pack off head/s apparatus&/or said pipes or system of apparatus and pipes annulus wall/s andagainst the string or length of material that passes through it suchthat said seal varies according to the amount of pressure directed andapplied.
 2. A pack off system and apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid string or length of material that passes through said variable sealmaterials are used for a procedure, operation or job that involves themovement of tools or apparatus within or in and/or out of an oil or gaswell or a water well.
 3. A pack off system and apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said string or length of material that passes throughsaid variable seal materials are used for a procedure, operation or jobthat involves the movement of tools or apparatus within or in and/or outof system or set of pipes, attached to a further apparatus and/or set ofpipes that tap into &/or control the flow of or are directed to tap into&/or control the flow of natural or manmade resources.
 4. A pack offhead/s apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pack off head/s aretooled or molded to receive fittings or to be fit to further apparatus.5. A pack off head/s apparatus according to claim 4 wherein saidfitting/s received or further apparatus fit to, have/has a sensory andprocessing means to detect and analyze emissions.
 6. A pack off head/sapparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fitting/s received orfurther apparatus fit to, have/has a means to capture emissions.
 7. Apack off system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pack offhead/s that receive/s said air or gasses or receive/s hydraulic fluidhave a chamber or chambers that are hermetically sealed with theexception of a valve/s to receive or release pressure and/or pressureagents and said chamber/s respond to the application and release of saidpressure acting as a piston/s for applying or releasing pressure onfurther parts to adjust said variable seal/s.
 8. A pack off head orheads according to claim 1 wherein said pack off head or heads have achamber or chambers that use only air or gasses and said chamber/s arehermetically sealed with the exception of a valve/s to receive orrelease pressure and said chamber/s respond to the application andrelease of said pressurized air or gasses acting as a piston/s forapplying or releasing pressure on further parts to adjust said variableseal/s.
 9. A pack off system & apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid pack off head/s annulus chamber/s hold/s an air bag or air bagsthat inflate/s and deflate/s according to the application and release ofsaid pressurized air or gasses and said annulus chamber/s respond to theactivated or released bag pressure within said annulus chamber/s actingas a piston/s applying or releasing pressure on further parts to adjustsaid variable seal/s.
 10. A pack off system & apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said pack off head or heads have an air bag/s thatinflates and deflates according to the application or release of saidpressurized air or gasses and adjusts a pliable and circular material atits center to form variable seal/s around said length or string ofmaterials passing through said variable seal material/s into or out of asystem or set of pipes attached to a further apparatus and/or set ofpipes that tap into &/or control the flow of or are directed to tap into&/or control the flow natural or man made resources.
 11. A pack offapparatus according to claim 9 wherein pack off apparatus and chamber/shousing said air bag/s, has been tooled or molded for a means of openingand closing securely.
 12. A pack off system and apparatus according toclaim 1 having a means for compressing said pressure agents for saidpressurized direction to create and manipulate said variable andadjustable seal, wherein said compression means is manual or mechanicalor automated or any combination thereof.
 13. A pack off system andapparatus according to claim 1 having means for controlling applicationand/or release or bleeding off of said pressure agents manually ormechanically or through automation or any combination thereof, whereinsaid control means may be installed and/or located at one or more pointsanywhere along the length of said system that directs pressure or remoteof said system.
 14. A pack off system & apparatus according to claim 13wherein said control means is electronic.
 15. A pack off system &apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said electronic control meanshas a further means for receiving and/or sending communications data forsaid automated &/or manual control of said application or release ofpressure within said system and apparatus.
 16. A pack off system andapparatus according to claim 1 having means for measuring the appliedpressure of said pressure agents, wherein said measuring means may beinstalled and/or located at one or more points or anywhere along thelength of said system that directs pressure or remote of said system.17. A pack off system and apparatus according to claim 16 wherein saidmeasurement means measures in units and/or increments of units ofKilopascals—KPA, and/or pounds per square inch—PSI.
 18. A pack offsystem and apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said measurementmeans measures in units and/or increments that are displayed in adisplay device.
 19. A pack off system and apparatus according to claim16 wherein said measuring means is electronic.
 20. A pack off system andapparatus according to claim 22 wherein said electronic measuring meanshas an electronic display for measurement data.
 21. A pack off systemand apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said measuring means has afurther means for processing data.
 22. A pack off system and apparatusaccording to claim 21 wherein said means for processing measurement datahas further means for data storage &/or transmission.
 23. A pack offsystem and apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said means fortransmitting data processed measurements, transmits measurement data toa control means that receives the measurement data and sends controldata for manual and/or automated control.
 24. A pack off system &apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said means that receives dataand sends control data has programmed parameters for analyzing pressuredata received.
 25. A pack off system & apparatus according to claim 25wherein said data is analyzed by said programmed parameters, and saidparameters or a further parameter set/s engage to provide a display ofand/or transmit instructions for manual &/or automated application orrelease of pressure for said pack off system and apparatus.